Concerning the Feasts of the Lord

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The plan of God is outlined in Leviticus chapter twenty-three. Each High Sabbath Day has a very significant meaning; and if you are common with them, you probably understand what God Almighty is doing with this creation.

This Bible study will look at these days, and give examples of what each day means. We will commence at the first required day, the Lord’s Passover, and end at the Feast of Tabernacles.

“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts” Leviticus 23:1-2.

This states that God spoke to Moses to speak to the children of Israel concerning the feasts of the Lord. These feasts of the Lord pertain to the Lord God Almighty and are His. These feasts are also holy gatherings.

“These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons” Leviticus 23:4

Again, the Bible states these are the feasts of the LORD. These are holy gatherings, which must be observed in their season. Observed in their season means that God Almighty has designated a specific time for these feast to be held and observed. We cannot let our zeal and emotion get the best of us.

Concerning the Feasts of the Lord

King David wanted to build the God of Israel a house and began to do so. Zadok the prophet was told to stop David. It was not for Him to do. We have to learn to do things that pertain to God when He commands and not when we want.

The Lord’s Passover…

“In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the Lord’s Passover” Leviticus 23:5

The Lord’s Passover must be observed on the fourteenth day of the first month, which is the month of Abib. This month can be set by the new moon in the spring. Now let’s get the meaning of this important day.

Exodus chapter 12

Verse 5 says: the lamb must be without blemish, a male of the first year; in other words, this lamb must be perfect and must be the first born of its mother.This lamb represents the Lamb of God, which Christians should know today isJesus the Christ. Jesus did not commit sin; that would make Him without blemish. He also was the first born of Mary, just like the lamb in verse 5; Jesus wasn’t the only child that Mary had, He was the first born.

“And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening” Exodus 12:6

The death of Jesus Christ came to pass in a similar way. Jesus was crucified on the Passover, but during the daytime; and was taken down off the cross at even [sundown].

“And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it”Exodus 12:7.

Once the lamb was killed, they put the blood over the door post. The blood protected Israel from the death angel that came through Egypt that night to smite all the firstborn in the land; both man and beast. It wasn’t enough for the lamb to die, but whoever had the faith and works to put the blood over their door post, was placed under the blood of the lamb.

Concerning the Feasts of the Lord

The Bible states a mixed multitude came out of Egypt with Israel [Exodus 12:38], this should let us know that other peoples & nations believed in the God of Israel. Especially after all the miracles He performed in Egypt. In other words, by putting the blood over the door post, their faith in God delivered them.

Exodus 12:12-13.

The blood shall be a token, and when He sees the blood, He will Passover us. This is where the word Passover comes from. It means the Lord will PASS-OVER your sins and not kill you, ‘Pass-Over’.

Connecting the Passover to Jesus, will allow you to understand what all of this represents. Matthew 26:17…

“Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?”

Notice what’s being said, they called the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the Passover. The Passover takes place the day before the Feast of Unleavened Bread as outlined in Leviticus the twenty-third chapter and Exodus the twelfth chapter. When Moses and the children of Israel came out of Egypt, they left in haste. The bread did not have a chance to rise. That is why they called the Passover the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

Matthew 26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

What happened to the lamb and bitter herbs? Why is Jesus only using bread and wine? Does this mean we do not have to keep the Passover? Please, no…

Concerning the Feasts of the Lord

Jesus did not change the Passover, He changed the ordinance. Remember in Exodus chapter twelve, they took a lamb every year, killed it, and ate it. Jesus represents the lamb, He did not need a lamb because He is the Passover Lamb. He was sent to die one time for all that bring themselves under His blood. So, He used the bread to represent His body, and wine to represent His blood. Notice what he says “Take, eat; this is my body.” He gave us the bread to replace His body, just as He replaced the lamb.

“For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” Matthew 26:28.

The Lord says, this is the blood of the New Testament (or new covenant). It should be noted He says shed for many, not for all. Why did He say many? Because, you must do the same thing they did in Egypt. You must be under the Lord’s blood. It is our own decision to put ourselves under the blood. People that choose not to put themselves under the blood of Jesus will have the same results as those in Egypt who did not put the blood on their door post.

The final words on the Passover will come from the Apostle Peter and Paul

1 Corinthians 5:7.

Paul says, ‘Purge out therefore the old leaven’. In other words purge yourself of sin, and become a new lump, being unleavened, meaning one that is not sinful. Just like the lamb in Exodus was their sacrifice, Christ is ours; a Lamb without blemish:

“But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:” 1 Peter 1:19.

The Passover is observed in remembrance of Israel in the land of Egypt, and it also represents the passing over of our sins; by bringing oneself under the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ.

The next High and Holy Day is the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

Leviticus 23:6-8.

Being that Christ died for us and He is our sacrifice, we are no longer under the sacrificial law…

“Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses:”Exodus 12:15. If you have leavened bread in your house, you must remove it. Remember leaven represents sin. Now let’s investigate what this feast represents…

Read Exodus 12:17.

This is the reason why we must observe this day. On the 15th day of the first month, the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt. The Feast of Unleavened Bread represents Israel’s FIRST deliverance. It also represents living without sin. The removal of unleavened bread means that we are sin free. First Jesus covered us with His blood and washed us, we are then to remain clean by staying unleavened.

The next High Holy Day, The Feast Of Weeks (also known as Pentecost)

Read Leviticus 23:9-12.

These verses should sound familiar. Notice what was to be offered? A he lamb without blemish or a perfect lamb, and it also had to be the first born.

“And ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn, nor green ears, until the selfsame day that ye have brought an offering unto your God: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the Sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven Sabbaths shall be complete: Even unto the morrow after the seventh Sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD”Leviticus 23:14-16.

Before anyone could partake of it, the Lord had to first accept it. After the priest waves the sheaf, which will fall on the weekly Sabbath (Saturday), you must count seven Sabbaths; this equals forty-nine days. Once you arrive at the seventh Sabbath, add the next day after and you will have the day of Pentecost, which always falls on the first day of the week also known as Sunday. Pentecost means fifty.

“Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the LORD”Leviticus 23:17.

Observe what the verse states, ‘they shall be baked with leaven’. Seven weeks later we must have leaven, why? Remember during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, we are not allowed to have leaven. This represents the first fruits from among men, or in other words, the first resurrection, Revelation 20:4-6.

Concerning the Feasts of the Lord… Holy Day

This is the reason why leaven is to be present; leaven represents sin; so those who are in the first resurrection will be ‘leavened, so to speak because they have committed sin during their first lifetime. In Acts chapter two Israel was keeping Pentecost or the feast of weeks. Pay special attention and see what Pentecost is really about:

“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place”.

The Name Pentecost

Now one may ask why the Apostles were said to be observing the Day of Pentecost, when the name ‘Pentecost’ itself is not used in the Old Testament where the commandment to observe this Holy Day comes from. Pentecost means fifty, and comes from the Greek translation of the Old Testament. Remember Leviticus the twenty-third chapter stated this Holy Day was to be the fiftieth day. In the Old Testament this Holy Day was called the Feast of Harvest or Feast of Weeks.

Read at Acts 2:4-8.

Discern what’s being said. Why were they all amazed and marveled? It was because Peter and the Apostles were Galileans, and the entire multitude understood them when they spoke in their own language. The next set of verses will teach us what the fiftieth day (Pentecost) is all about?

Read Acts 2:16-20.

Peter said this is what the Prophet Joel spoke about. This Prophecy will take place in the last days. This Prophecy was called hundreds of years before Jesus came in the flesh. We can confirm this in the writings of the prophet Joel (2:28-31). Joel and Peter were aware of this day and what it meant. To see what time this prophecy will take place, we can go into Revelation 6:12

12And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

Peter and Joel referred to this time as: the day of the Lord. The day of Pentecost is more than just a regular day; it represents the Year of the Lord Jesus’ return. Revelation 6 verses 12 mimics Matthew 24:29

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:”

TheMemorial of the Blowing of Trumpets

Read at Leviticus 23:23-24.

Why must we remind ourselves of blowing trumpets? Well, let’s begin by looking in the past…

A visit from the Lord –Exodus 19:16-20.

These trumpets announced the coming of the Lord. Wherever you see them, they precede the entrance of the Lord. Another example is in Joshua 6:4, 20…

4And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams’ horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets.

20So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.

Seven priests with seven trumpets circle the city seven times, and the priest shall blow the trumpets. This is when Israel took down Jericho. This is what the Lord will do when He returns to the earth. This time it will not take down Jericho alone; but to the entire world!

See the comparison to Joshua 6 verses 4 and 20 to Revelation 8 verses 2, 5-6. 2And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.

It is exactly what we read in Joshua Chapter six except the angels replaced the priest. Every time an angel sounded a trumpet; a vial of wrath was poured out on the earth.

The trumpet announces the coming of the King of kings. This is why we observe The Memorial of Blowing Trumpets, to remind us that Jesus will return, how He will return, and what the Lord will do upon His return to this earth.

At the sound of the trump, then He will gather his elect, from one end of heaven to the other. The earth is also called heaven. This is the lasttrump. There is something else that will take place on this Last Trump…

“Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed”1 Corinthians 15:51-52.

This is the first resurrection of the just written about in Revelation 20:4-6. The second resurrection will take place a thousand years later. Those in the first resurrection, their change will take place at the last trumpet. The trumpet announces the coming of the Lord, the coming of the King. This is why this day is vitally important to memorialize, this is why we keep and remember the Memorial of the Blowing of Trumpets; to remind us of what the Lord will do upon His return to this earth.

The next High and Holy Day, the Day of Atonement

Read at Leviticus 23:27-28.

This is the Day of Atonement. It is required you must afflict your souls, which means you must fast on this day [sundown to sundown]. This day represents the atonement that Jesus Christ made for us. In Moses’ day the Priest would take two goats. One would be killed and the other would go freely. The goat that was let go was called the scapegoat. Upon the scapegoat, all the sins of the people were placed. It was then taken into the wilderness and released.

Read at Leviticus 16 verses 8-22.

These goats both represent Jesus Christ. The one goat was offered for a sin offering. Jesus Christ was our sin offering to the Father. The scapegoat presented alive represented the Lord when He was presented ALIVE to the Father in the 3rd Heaven [a land NOT inhabited]. This represents Jesus dying for us and taking all our sins upon Himself. This is for the ones that put themselves under the blood of Jesus Christ. He suffered for us, and requires we suffer a little for Him.

Concerning the Feasts of the Lord

Romans the 5th chapter will show us what the Lord’s death and resurrection did for us…

Important! We were reconciled or recovered by His death, and we shall be saved by His life. Remember the scapegoat? Jesus had to take our sins away, just like the scapegoat released in the wilderness. “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world”John 1:29.

If you put yourself under the Lord’s blood, He has made atonement for your sins that have passed. You have been reconciled. It is up to you to continue in this reconciliation unto eternal life by keeping His laws and statutes.

The next High and Holy Day, the Feast of Tabernacles

Leviticus 23:33-35.

On the first day we are to have a solemn assembly, which is a coming together. This represents the coming together of the Lord’s people in the last days. The release of the people of God. Deuteronomy chapter thirty-one gives us a closer view of this feast day…

Read Deuteronomy 31:9-11.

At the end of every seven years this shall be the year of release. This is in the year of Pentecost or fiftieth year. Pentecost is also called the year of release. This is when the people of God will be brought together, in the year of Pentecost.

Take in what it says. Gather the people together that they may hear the law of the LORD. This is done during the Feast of Tabernacles. Let us have a better look at this. Let’s go to Leviticus the twenty-fifth chapter. As you read Leviticus twenty-five, keep in mind that the Year Pentecost in also called the Year of Release.

Read at Leviticus 25:8-10.

The Day of Pentecost we had seven weeks, now we have seven Sabbaths of Years [49 years]. Note what it says, thou cause the trumpet of the jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the Day of Atonement.

Jubilee means rejoicing or release. Remember the word Pentecost means fifty. We shall hallow the 50th year. Why? If we knew where to start counting these years, we would know exactly what year and day the Lord will return. At this time, every man will return to his own country, or in other words unto his own family.

In this year every man will receive his possession. The Jubilee is the Year of Pentecost. This day the Lord will start His deliverance. The seventh trumpet will be blown, and the people will be gathered in the Feast of Tabernacles. The Feast of Tabernacles is the also called the Feast of Ingathering.

The Feast of Tabernacles has a physical and spiritual meaning that can be read in: Leviticus 23:40-43. Tabernacle is the body. For seven days we have lived in a flesh and blood body. We have worshiped in churches made by hands. After the seven days living in the flesh (humanity), something different will happen on the eighth day.

The Last High Holy Day, the Eighth Day Feast:

Read at Leviticus 23:36, 39.

Why must we observe a separate feast on the 8th day? “Now the Jew’s feast of tabernacles was at hand. In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink”John 7:2,37.

Observe the emphasis placed on the last day of the feast; it’s also referred to as, that great day. Now let us pay special attention to what Jesus says at the Passover:

Read at Luke 22:15-18.

Do we see what Jesus is saying here! He says He will NOT take part of the Passover until the Kingdom of the Father shall come. Flesh and blood cannot enter the Father’s Kingdom. Everyone will be changed from flesh & blood (man) to spiritual bodies. We have been given seven days in a week; God gave us seven days to inherit this type of body, [seven thousand years]. The eighth day is something completely new; that is why it is a separate feast from the seven day feast of tabernacles.

Remember the law of circumcision? Every male is to be circumcised on the eighth day. It represents the rolling away of the flesh:

The Circumcision given to Abraham as the covenant à Genesis 17:12.

We will no longer be flesh in the Father’s Kingdom is written about in Revelation 21:2-5. Let’s recap what we have learned…

Passover: The Passover represents the passing over of our sins, and the only way our sins will be passed over is if we bring ourselves under the blood of the Lamb, Jesus the Christ.

Feast of Unleavened Bread: On the 15th day of the first month, the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt. The Feast of Unleavened Bread represents Israel’s FIRST deliverance. It also represents living without sin because leaven represents sin.

Pentecost: This is the year the Lord will return. It also represents the first resurrection of the saints; the first fruits from among men to be returned from the dead.

Memorial of Blowing Trumpets: This day reminds us what will take place prior to the Lord’s return, and also what He will do when He arrives. It also announces the coming of a King… King Jesus

Day of Atonement: This day represents the Lord making atonement for our sins. This is our bail; the Passover was the paper work; this is the official approval…

Feast of Tabernacles (Ingathering): Represents the Lord gathering Israel and all those that are under His blood in the last days. This will be the SECOND and FINAL DELIVERANCE of Israel. It also represents the dwelling in tabernacles [booths] for 7 days or 7 thousand years in our flesh.

Eighth Day Feast: Represents the feast in the Father’s Kingdom. We will no longer be composed of flesh & blood; we will have become spiritual bodies. This brings us back to the Kingdom prepared for us from the foundation of the world!

The Passover cleansed us. The Lamb of God was slain from the foundation of the world. Once Adam sinned, Jesus was going to die for the sins of the world. This required as many of us who will to walk without sin for those seven days (feast of unleavened bread).

If we complete this faithfully, we will be numbered among the first fruits in the year of the Lord’s return. This is the year of Pentecost, which is the feast of weeks, which is the year of the first resurrection.

We will know when this is going to occur because of the blowing of the trumpets, which announces our King. The Lord Jesus will atone for our sins and return to the earth on the tenth day of the seventh month (the Day of Atonement).

From there He will gather all His children to Him (the Feast of Tabernacles in order to prepare us for the Father’s Kingdom that will begin on the Eighth day.

You now know the plan of God concerning the feasts of the Lord. It is for everybody and not just our ‘Jewish’ brothers and sisters. God bless you in the name of Jesus!

Koko Ishe

BibleStudyMinistry.com

As freely as you have received; freely share and give! In Jesus name! Amen